Right-to-die campaigner Brittany Maynard releases final video
The family of right-to-die campaigner Brittany Maynard have released a final moving video of her calling for lethal drugs for the terminally ill to be legalised.
The 29-year-old moved to Oregon with her family when she found out she had incurable brain cancer, that was because the state have made right to die laws legal.
In the clip recorded 19 days before her death she says that no one should have to leave home to legally end their lives with the help of doctors.
Brittany's story got attention round the world and it has started legislative efforts in California and elsewhere to make it legal for terminally ill people to end their lives with drugs.
Brittany died on November 1 and her husband Dan Diaz, 43, said his wife was 'peaceful' in her final moments.
“It was a reminder of what she was risking because what was coming next was losing her eyesight, becoming paralysed, the inability to speak and she’d essentially be trapped in her own body,” Mr Diaz said.
Mr Diaz said the seizure occurred at “around 7am in the morning” and he convinced his wife to stay in bed and sleep in until 9am.
The couple then collected their dogs and joined their family and friends for a hike near their home.
“We got back to the house and she just knew it was her time,” Mr Diaz said.
Mr Diaz said that within five minutes of taking a lethal sedative, his wife was fast asleep.
"Within 30 minutes, her breathing slowed to the point where she passed away. She was surrounded by the people she loved and her passing was peaceful.
"It truly was the most peaceful experience that you could ever hope for when you talk about a person's passing," Mr Diaz said.
In the newly released video Brittany says: “Unfortunately, California law prevented me from getting the end-of-life option I deserved.
“No one should have to leave their home and community for peace of mind, to escape suffering, and to plan for a gentle death."
The video was released today, just hours ahead of the first state Senate committee hearing on the issue.
In the video Brittany tells the viewer that the practice is legal in five states, including Oregon, where Maynard moved before she took her life November 1.
The other states are Montana, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington.
